At the moment, as members of the EU, we have the freedom to live, work, travel and retire anywhere in the EU. There are of course rules in place that you have to be able to support yourself, or leave after 3 months, but that was chosen not to be exercised by our government. Anyway, at the moment that is a level playing field for all EU members, and therefore jobs within the EU. If we leave, UK citizens will very likely require sponsorship or visas to be able to work in the EU, thereby erecting a barrier to businesses for recruitment of UK citizens. Why would they choose to overcome that hurdle (which some of course would), when they have so many other people available in the pool of the EU workforce. That is a reduction of opportunity for our children.Likewise, certain sectors in the UK are heavily reliant on the EU for the free trade of services and people in order to be successful. Science is a particular area that springs to mind. So the science industry in the UK would reduce over time, and therefore also opportunities within that sector in the UK.In addition to all that, at the moment there is reciprocity of recognition of qualifications within the EU. So A-levels taken in the UK would carry the same weight as a baccalaureate taken in France, for example. Outside of the EU, and with no 'deal' in place, qualifications and certifications gained within the UK would not be recognised within the EU. It is my understanding that this would also be true if an International Baccalaureate, for example, is gained in the UK. It wouldn't be recognised in the rest of the EU.So, that is why leaving the EU would be depriving our young people of a future on their home continent. Trade deals elsewhere may mean they could have horizons further afield, otherwise they would be stuck in the ever-shrinking UK or at 'the back of the queue' as far as the EU is concerned.
Clare Noeken ● 2906d